Adapting to AI: How to Futureproof Your Writing Career

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Artificial intelligence is on the rise and there’s a lot of fearmongering about its effects on creative careers. Writing is no exception. 

Between the rapid development and adoption of AI, there is certainly cause for concern. While it is transforming the creative landscape, can it truly replace human creativity?

Adapting to AI as A Writer

AI is the shiny new toy that everyone wants to play with. However, a plaything for some people can be a threat to others.

Are you a writer who’s stressed about the effects of artificial intelligence? Here are a few ways you can adapt and futureproof your writing career.

1. If you can’t beat it, use it.

AI presents a seismic shift that you can’t ignore, regardless of your niche or industry. The reality is that AI is here to stay, and resisting it is futile. It’s fast, easy to access, and easy to train. But is it better than you? It can be—if you ignore or refuse to use it.

At its core, AI is a tool with a variety of uses. As a writer, you regularly use tools in your writing tasks. So why not add another one to your toolbox? Use AI as a research assistant, a proofreader, or even a data analyst.

Sign up for a bunch of AI tools and see which one fits your needs. You don’t need to commit to just one. Most of them offer free versions or trial periods anyway.

It’s easy to adopt an apocalyptic view of AI. However, if you can move past the gloom and doom, you can choose to use it as the powerful tool that it is.

2. Educate yourself.

Perhaps part of the doom and gloom stems from a fuzzy understanding of AI—at least, its current iteration. When you think of AI, your mind probably conjures images of Skynet, Ultron, HAL, and other “evil” AI from science fiction.

Even if it doesn’t, perhaps you’re unclear about how AI and machine learning operate. Simply being aware isn’t enough; you must be proactive and prepared.

Educate yourself. Learn the basics of AI and ML. Read research papers. Stay updated on developments. Follow experts and key educators. The more you know, the better prepared you’ll be to adapt to the future.

3. Specialize.

AI excels at generating content quickly but lacks the experience, knowledge, and nuanced understanding that you possess. By being an expert in your field, you can provide what AI cannot. The more expertise you have, the harder you will be to replace.

Choosing a niche is a balance between what you like, what’s profitable, and what’s sustainable. Building your authority will take time, but your work will become easier as you progress.

If you’re a new writer, experiment in different industries. It may seem counterintuitive, but gaining firsthand experience in various fields will help you determine the best path to pursue.

4. Add to your skillset.

Learn skills adjacent to writing. You can offer a more comprehensive package of services to a broader range of clients and industries.

Some common skills that writers learn include editing, SEO, social media management, graphic design, and project management. Pair those with your niche expertise, and you have a lot of value to offer.

It’s not just about increased marketability and potential income. Learning new skills is a way to prevent professional stagnation, expand your creative pursuits, adapt to changes, and collaborate with other professionals.

Adding to your skill set doesn’t mean stepping away from being a writer. It’s about being a more effective one.

5. Build your network.

Connect and build relationships with other writers and industry professionals. These are the people who can get you potential jobs, resources, and other opportunities. Invest in them so they invest in you.

Writing can also be a lonely career. Having a community of like-minded people to engage with provides you with an avenue for feedback, support, and exposure to fresh experiences.

Platforms like Reddit, LinkedIn, and Substack are invaluable for networking. Also, consider joining groups focused on AI. Be active in discussions so you become a familiar presence to other members.

6. Understand the limits of AI.

Current AI isn’t at a level where it can be independent of human thought and guidance. It’s going to be a long time until it reaches what you see in science fiction.

AI relies on pre-existing data to produce responses shaped by algorithms designed by humans. That limits its ability to deliver original, out-of-the-box ideas, frequently leading to generic writing.

Because it relies on pre-existing data, AI often struggles to comprehend specialized or esoteric knowledge, resulting in inaccurate or vague responses. This is the kind of information that requires nuanced understanding.

Additionally, AI has no personal experiences or consciousness that make written content “human”. It can’t create that emotional connection that often separates good writing from bad. Understanding AI’s limitations allows you to position yourself to address these limitations.

7. Be accurate.

AI tends to be vague and incorrect. There are tons of instances where it delivers inaccurate information with confidence. Just look at Bard’s recent fumble, which cost Google billions. Sometimes it even makes things up, called an “AI hallucination”.

This has understandably increased the demand for fact-checkers and human-made content. This is where you come in. People will flock to you if you’re known for creating precise, high-quality content.

Double and triple-check any resources you use. Always pull the most recent data you can and only from trusted sources. If possible, include links to these sources so your readers can verify them themselves.

Writing in the Age of AI

The rise of AI presents both challenges and opportunities for writers. While there are limitations and concerns to address, AI is already deeply integrated into both your personal and professional life.

There is ongoing debate about whether AI can fully replace human writers. While AI excels in certain writing tasks, it cannot replicate human qualities such as emotional depth, nuanced understanding, creativity, and critical thinking.

Instead of viewing AI as a replacement, writers should see it as a tool for enhancement. Those who are proactive and innovative will thrive as invaluable assets in the AI era, ensuring that the human element remains important to the writing process.

What other steps can you take to futureproof your writing career? Share them in the comments below!

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